Top Uses of C++ in Modern Tech: From AI to Embedded Systems

What is C++?

C++ is a general-purpose, free-form programming language created by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979 at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey, to enhance the C language. Since it is an extension of C, it is also known as C with classes. It was specifically designed with an orientation towards large systems and resource-constrained software.

Since its inception, C++ has expanded significantly. The latest version (C++20) has object-oriented, functional, and generic features, in addition to low-level memory manipulation. The biggest advantage of C++ is that it is super scalable and gives developers much control over how their applications use up resources.

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What is C++ Used For?

The advantages of C++ with numerous characteristics are the attributes that lead to wide-scale applications of C++. The long list is curated right here:

Video game

The wide compatibility feature of C++ makes it useful for creating game development engines. C++ allows performance optimization by offering direct access to hardware resources. It also encourages shader programs to provide advanced graphical effects, is portable in nature and supports the implementation of complex algorithms. 

Additionally, the ability to integrate with audio libraries, effective networking and physics engines further makes it a preferred choice. The wide community support through extensive libraries and legacy codebase adds to the preferability for even 3D games. The common examples of video game engines created in C++ include Unity and Unreal Engine.

Operating Systems

It is one of the most important uses of C++. Multiple commonly used operating systems have been developed, such as Microsoft and Linux. It is also used for the development of mobile software, and even Apple has used the language to develop the iOS system. 

Features like swift coding and better language performance make it a popular choice. Further, the suitability can also be owed to the low-level capabilities of C++ that allow for structuring the code for better efficiency. 

Databases

C++ uses include the development of open-source databases and general database software. The better capability to handle data, queries and direct hardware interaction accounts for its role in database curation. Further, it also allows efficient data processing and storage by easing the structuring of databases. Common examples of databases that have been built through the language include MySQL and MongoDB. The direct use of these databases is witnessed in popular and important appliances such as YouTube, Google, Netflix and others. 

Browsers

The low latency property of C++ makes it suitable for designing browsers as well. It offers speed and high-performance ability, hence making it a building block behind widely used Chrome and Firefox. C++ also exhibits cross-platform compatibility, which means the codes written in C++ are valid and runnable on different systems. It is useful in providing a consistent user experience with easy adaptation to different devices. 

Embedded Systems

The support for object-oriented programming (OOP) allows easy and effective complexity management, marking this application of C++. Further, features like polymorphism, inheritance, classes and templates facilitate writing modular and reusable code that streamlines the development process. C++ uses for embedded systems are also due to its support for structured, concurrency, functional and generic programming apart from OOP, with an option for simultaneous usage of the mentioned ones. 

The independent availability of the language offers cost-effective benefits, making it the wide choice for the development of embedded systems. Additionally, encapsulation, abstraction, Standard Template Library (STL), and strong type systems are also factors in its preference. 

Compilers

C++ uses as a compiler and interpreter are popular due to its ability to perform functions like machine code generation, code analysis and enhancing execution. Other key characteristics that allow it to be used as a compiler include simplicity, low-level language, and its interaction with hardware. 

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

The usage of C++ for Graphical User Interface (GUI) development can be attributed to the previously mentioned properties. Further, there are multiple libraries and frameworks available in C++ that encourage C++ applications in GUI. It includes FLTK, Qt, SDL and wxWidgets. Also, C++ has good speed and fewer dependencies, which eases the deployment process. 

Internet of Things (IoT)

C++ is considered one of the highly efficient languages for developing firmware for IoT devices. Its high performance and numerous libraries and frameworks encourage a smooth workflow. For instance, the POCO and Boost libraries provide multiple functions such as cryptography, multithreading, networking and data sterilization. 

The language also allows fast and reliable communication while performing real-time data processing. The efficient battery usage, the ability to gather sensor data and the easy integration with both mobile and cloud platforms are also some requirements fulfilled by C++. Home automation systems, wearable technology, connected cars and autonomous vehicles are some of the examples. 

Applications

The direct access of the language to hardware and memory resources makes it a versatile choice for C++ applications development. It exhibits suitability for applications requiring efficient performance and real-time processing, such as scientific computing, simulations and games. 

For instance, dating applications based on C++ are among the modern inclusions in the world. It requires swift and accurate access to a database with the ability to restore the media and information. The language finds usage in back-end development, which is done via its ability to develop browsers and applications. Further, compatibility across multiple platforms and devices also enhances the preferability of C++. 

Distributed computing

The flexibility, lightweight property, high performance and ability to build scalable and efficient systems allow C++ uses in distributed computing. Building C++ distributed computing requires certain considerations, such as stating the communication protocol. 

It should be done through sterilization tools followed by communicating via the RPC framework. Further, deployment requires integration with different cloud platforms. The focus must also be on the recognition of failure events and taking required action quickly. 

Finance

C++ plays a key role in the development of financial tools as well. It includes the already mentioned operating systems and applications that are also widely used in banks and financial institutions. The language also contributes to software infrastructure pertaining to financial modeling, trading, transactions and simulations. 

Dependency and safety led to the application of C++ to develop such intricate systems. The key libraries that contribute here are CGAL, Aslo, OpenCV and Boost. Similarly, the important frameworks include Qt, Loki, STL and others. 

Libraries

A Winamp media player is an example of a media library developed from C++. The language offers the perfect platform for database development and creating operating systems used by organizations in the field. Spotify, along with other mentioned examples, witnesses the usage of these libraries. 

Machine Learning (ML)

Owing to the multiple advantages of C++, Machine Learning also uses it as a back-end programming language. It enhances the speed and efficiency of ML models. It also lowers the negative impact during data conversion across different languages due to access to raw data and core algorithms. Moreover, ML works well with other libraries and languages, making it broadly favored for usage. Dlib, OpenNN, Shark, and others are some C++-based ML libraries.

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Virtual reality

The role of C++ in developing virtual reality solutions is immense, practical, and currently being implemented in the market. The language meets the high-performance requirements to offer 3D graphics and handle real-time interaction needs. The optimized memory usage makes it better suited for such developments. 

Further, virtual reality also involves a combination of hardware devices for effective experiences. It includes motion capture systems, head-mounted displays (HMDs), haptic feedback devices and others. C++ offers the solution to handling these by acting as a low-level language that bridges the connection between hardware and software. 

Animation

C++ applications are also used to create animations. Learning concepts such as console window customization and ‘gotoRowCol’ is also involved. Math-powered animations that work on circle equations are also present in C++, allowing users to spin, grow, shrink and perform spiral movements, among other things. Learning C++ fundamentals such as loop, if statement, variable, sort and much more is also involved. 

Flight software

In this field, C++ is used for the development of flight control systems, flight simulators, radar processing, avionics software, and more. Further, the usage also expands to powering military, defense and commercial airplanes. The language allows for safe code to be written with minimal or zero runtime overhead and at high abstraction levels.

High-performance computing

Contrary to the high-level language alternatives Python and Java, C++ is a low-level language. This characteristic allows complete control over the system's resources, such as memory and CPU. It offers high efficiency, making the language suitable for high-performance computing. 

Common examples of such tasks include scientific computing and simulations for applications like climate modeling, molecular dynamics simulation, data analysis of subatomic particles and others. The advantages of C++ include support for parallel computing via libraries and frameworks such as the Message Parsing Interface (MPI) and OpenMP. It is another essential need for high-performance computing that C++ meets.

Cybersecurity 

C++'s versatility and compiled nature make it an appropriate choice for cybersecurity. It is used to develop network security applications through the use of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and firewalls. The language also contributes to malware analysis by generating debuggers and disassemblers. 

Further, C++'s application is also witnessed via vulnerability scanning tools, which identify vulnerabilities like SQL injection, Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) and buffer overflows.

Cloud Computing 

It is another usage of C++ owing to its capabilities of running close to hardware and multithreading support. The latter feature ensures efficient request handling and load balancing. The portability allows for running applications on a wide number of servers and cloud-based infrastructures. The low latency further facilitates meeting cloud computing requirements of real-time data and image processing. 

Medical Technology 

The application of the language has also expanded to the medical system. Here, it is used for database management, development of management systems, and improvement of high-level medical equipment. It further enhances the medical system by implementing smart technology that offers quick, precise and timely access to healthcare facilities and information.

Advantages of C++ Over Other Languages

1. Object-Oriented

C++ is an object-oriented programming language which means that the main focus is on objects and manipulations around these objects. This makes it much easier to manipulate code, unlike procedural or structured programming which requires a series of computational steps to be carried out.

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2. Speed

3. Compiled

Unlike other programming languages where no compilation is required, every C++ code has to be first compiled to a low-level language and then executed.

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4. Rich Library Support

The C++ Standard Template Library (STL) has many functions available to help write code quickly. For example, there are STLs for various containers like hash tables, maps, sets, etc.

5. Pointer Support

C++ also supports pointers, which are often unavailable in other programming languages. 

6. Closer to Hardware

C++ is closer to hardware than most general-purpose programming languages. This makes it very useful in those areas where hardware and software are closely coupled together, and low-level support is needed at the software level.

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Examples of C++ Tools

Some of the C++ tools are listed as follows: 

CPP Check: It is a static analysis tool for C and C++ code. This freely available and open-source tool offers bug detection and identification of harmful coding constructs and undefined behavior. The tool performs memory leak, bounds leak, and resource leak checks, analyzes classes and automatic variables, eliminates dead code and more. 

CLion: It is the Intrusion Detection System (IDE) that is compatible with different platforms and works in C and C++. It improves the quality of code and offers migration assistance and protection during shared sessions. CLion is also a smart editor that offers contextual code completion and AI-based code generation. 

Visual Assist: It is also an IDE that is suitable for multiple languages, including C++. The usage of this tool offers benefits like checking the hierarchy in the program, the list of the symbols in code, class structure, improving code design and automatic code generation. 

ReSharper C++: This tool also offers assistance in code development and assessment. To save time and increase efficiency, it provides quick fixes and powerful refactorings. It aids in game development based on Unreal Engine. The functionality also encompasses code navigation by allowing direct access to the type, file, and type member and finding its usage. ReSharper C++ adapts to a team-based writing style by fine-tuning the editor accordingly.

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Ready to Start?

As you can see, the possibilities and uses of C++ are limitless. Even if you have never coded in C++, you have indirectly used it while running an application because most of it is written in it. To learn more about C++ and other top programming languages, you can sign up for Simplilearn’s Full Stack Developer - MERN Stack program. Get started today and upgrade your career as a software developer.

FAQs

1. What is the best use of C++?

The wide and popular usage of C++ is for multiple purposes, such as the development of games, system software, high-performance applications and scientific computing. 

2. Is C++ used for AI?

Yes, C++ is suited for AI applications due to its high performance, memory management, low-level control, and rich ecosystem of frameworks and libraries. 

3. What is the future scope of C++?

The characteristics of C++, and its wide suitability for numerous modern applications and designs make it a long lasting and futureproof language. Hence, the scope is certain to last and even increase in the coming times. 

4. What is the salary after learning C++?

The average salary of a C++ developer is around INR 3 lakhs per year. 

5. How to learn C++ coding?

There are numerous ways to learn C++ coding. It is through joining the online or offline course, via practice if you have some familiarity with the basics, or through video or theoretical tutorials.